Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Introvert Tag using Simon Says Stamp's Bold Leaves and Introverts Unite Stamp Sets

Ah, Stamptember!  It's a wonderful time of year if you love cooler weather and exclusive stamp sets.  And because we are kicking off Stamptember, stamping is the theme this week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.  I made this tag featuring one of my all-time favorite SSS/CZ Design stamp sets, Introverts Unite, and Simon's new Bold Leaves stamp.

My stamp technique or advice to share in this post is don't be afraid to cut up your stamps!  I know, I know.  It seems inherently wrong to cut up a stamp and it goes against all of our elementary school training of keeping supplies intact and pristine.  But if you look at a stamp, particularly a large stamp, and see how it can be even more versatile if it's cut into smaller pieces that can be rearranged, then go for it!  There's no law that says you have to keep the stamp in the same shape that it came in.  Trim it up and try something new with it.  That's exactly what I did with this big background stamp.  I cut off one little leaf to be able to create my own patterns with one shape.  And the beauty here is that if I ever did want the whole stamp to be in one piece again, I just pop the single leaf back into its empty space when I stick it on an acrylic block.

Once I had my single leaf stamp, I mixed some Distress Paint with a little bit of water and used that as my "ink."  I stamped this shape onto a tag that I die-cut.  By adding some water to paint, it gives the stamped images a little bit of a looser, watercolor look.

Next I cut out a frame shape using a Pretty Pink Posh die (Halloween Circle Dies), and also cut out a circle using a Simon Says Stamp die (Circle Loops).  I used patterned paper from the Color Study collection.  I also stamped my sentiment (the sayings in the Introverts Unite set crack me up).

I ended up outlining my leaves with some scribbly penciling and then all that was left was to glue everything down.  I added one more zig-zag ring shape, then glued everything onto the tag and flicked some Night gloss spray on it. 

Does it take courage to chop up a perfectly good stamp?  Sure it does.  Is it worth it?  Well, I suppose it could go awry, but all I can tell you is that I have never regretted the stamp-cutting I've done.  Make your stamps work for YOU in whatever way you envision them working the best.

Here are the supplies I used that you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

• Simon Says Stamp Bold Leaves Stamp Set
• Simon Says Stamp/CZ Design Introverts Unite Stamp Set
• Simon Says Stamp Circle Loops Dies
• Pretty Pink Posh Halloween Circle Dies
• Waffle Flower Nested Tag Dies
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Tim Holtz Tonic Scissors
• Distress Paint: Cracked Pistachio, Speckled Egg, Salvaged Patina, Kitsch Flamingo
• Dina Wakley Paint: Olive, Night, Turquoise, Tangerine, Blushing, Lemon, Lime
• Color Study Paper Pack
• Strathmore Mixed Media Paper
• Distress Ink: Blueprint Sketch
• Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink
• Dina Wakley Gloss Spray: Night
• UHU Glue Stick

Let's see what stampy goodness you come up with this week!  Upload your creation to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $25 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store!  And don't forget to check out all the Stamptember collaborations that are happening this month.